Author: Pop Culture Mike

Mondays are back to back to back awesome with TV from Supergirl to 8 to The Terror at 9 and then great choices of The Crossing, Good Girls and if its your thing, a Carpool Karaoke special on CBS, all at 10!! What will you be watching?

A few nights ago, in the middle of a random chat with two good friends, Kayla and Beth (@kfink12 and @randombeth, respectively – follow them on Twitter, they’re awesome), it came out that I had not seen The Greatest Showman. I missed it in the theaters because … life, and I hadn’t watched it online yet. I was vaguely familiar with “This Is Me” and the soundtrack in general but mostly, no idea. On their recommendation, I rented and it was hooked in seconds. I was enamored with this fucking movie from that first Thump and I am so happy that I listened to them, its made my life better.

The Greatest Showman is officially described as a drama/romance but really its musical fantasy; an hour and forty five minute escapist adventure where you will be enveloped in visual and aural spectacle with only a few chances to catch your breath. “They don’t understand but they will.” The eponymous Greatest Showman, one Phineas T. Barnum, say this line to one of the curiosities he is recruiting for his show but it works as well for a summary of the film as a whole.

Before the movie begins, you think you’re going to get some goofy songs and Wolverine in old-timey clothes. What you actually get, though, is a life experience that will stay with you. This is not hyperbole. The Greatest Showman is going to work its way into your heart and mind and take up toe tapping residence there. My advice? Just give in, its worth the surrender.

Released on December 20, 2017, The Greatest Showman comes from first time director Michael Gracey and writers, Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon (Chicago, Dreamgirls). The music and lyrics for the impressive soundtrack come from current “it” boys, by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land) while Ashley Wallen provided the immense choreography. On the acting front, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Keala Settle, and Rebecca Ferguson lead a sprawling cast that spend almost two hours singing, dancing, and emoting their ways into your heart.

Black Lightning concluded its freshman season tonight and the questions on everyone’s minds: Will Black Lightning recover from his injury last week? If so, will he recover in time to be useful in a final fight? Will Henderson discover his bestie’s secret identity? Will Whale survive and thrive? Will Proctor and the ASA? Will Lynn and Jennifer embrace that which Anissa and Jefferson already have?

Every single one of these questions is resolved tonight so sit back, relax, and enjoy our deep dive recap & review of the Black Lightning season finale, “Shadow of Death: The Book of War” … after the jump (warning: spoilers!!)

Black Lightning gives us its Season 1 finale and I’m sure it’ll be troubling and leave us wanting answers in Season 2. Elsewhere, Legion holds our Top Pick of the night because we can’t get enough of this show. Other interesting choices tonight include Shadowhunters (has this show become too focused on Malec?), Rise, NCIS, The Flash and a new docu-series from Nat Geo on the story of the Hitler Youth.

Supergirl returns to your TV tonight while Scorpion takes its season final bow. In between we’re watching The Terror, The Crossing and Good Girls!! Mondays, more choices than you know what to do with …

THE CROSSING – “Pax Americana” – A wounded Reece faces off with her pursuers miles away, while Jude’s plan to spend quality time with his son leads to a terrifying ordeal. Back at the camp, Hannah escapes to get her first look at the outside world as Dr. Sophie Forbin arrives to assess the larger threat presented by Leah’s unusual virus. Meanwhile, Emma discovers unsettling information which makes her question who she’s really working for, on “The Crossing,” airing MONDAY, APRIL 16 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jack Rowand)STEVE ZAHN

Black Lightning
“The Resurrection and
the Light: The Book of Pain”
April 10, 2018

This episode turned things on its head. Going into next week’s season finale, things are not great for Team Pierce and the bad guys are definitely ascendant. In a classic God giveth and God taketh away, just as Lynn and Jefferson were getting their shit together, before the hour is out, its all fallen to pieces. We are greeted to the return of a Milli Vanilli-looking cosplayer and Tobias and Syonide make a case for their own deranged Rom Com spin-off (which, to be clear … I would totally watch).

Less talk, more action so check out our Recap & Review of Black Lightning‘s “The Resurrection and the Light: The Book of Pain” … after the jump (beware of spoilers)!

Its Friday the 13th so you know crazy things will happen today. Hopefully, by the time you sit down for TV tonight, things will have simmered a bit. Here are our Top Choices for the evening: MacGyver and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. A pick for the whole weekend? Binge the first season of Netflix’s reboot series, Lost in Space!

Thursday night has some really solid offerings to watch led by new Arrow, and all of the 8p shows: Siren, Supernatural, and Gotham. The end of the night isn’t great but you can watch something you taped earlier …

SIREN – “On The Road” – When the military facility goes on high alert, Chris manages to escape, but heÕs not the only one who gets out. This episode of “On The Road” airs Thursday, April 12 (8:00 – 9:01 p.m. EDT) on Freeform. (Freeform/Jeff Weddell)ELINE POWELL

Tonight was a rare Black Lightning episode where we end in a good place but we take a couple of shitty turns to get there. We have a nice moment of redemption, “a good guy finally wins one” moment, and my dislike for Fowdy grows to ginormous size.

Without further delay, our (long overdue) recap and review of Black Lightning‘s episode, “Black Jesus: The Book of Crucifixion” … after the jump (beware of spoilers)!